asked the Minister for Finance by whom the new handmade carpets in Leinster House were designed and approved; and if, having regard to dissatisfaction with the designs, steps will be taken in future to ascertain the wishes of Members of the Oireachtas in such matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Design of Leinster House Carpets.
67.
The new handmade carpets in Leinster House were designed by Miss Una Cradock. The design was approved by the former Taoiseach, An Ceann Comhairle, Cathaoirleach an tSeanaid, and the leaders of the Fine Gael and Labour Parties. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction with the designs. On the contrary, I have heard much favourable comment on them.
In the circumstances I have outlined, the latter part of the Deputy's question does not arise.
The Parliamentary Secretary must walk around with his ears closed. That is all I can say. Nobody is happy with them.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary care to comment on the qualifications of the gentlemen he mentioned—the former Taoiseach, the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and the leaders of the Fine Gael and Labour Parties?
All I can say is that it comes very badly from this House that a young Irish designer should be criticised in this way.
Nonsense. If the design is bad, it deserves criticism and, if the design is good, it deserves praise.
The design is excellent.
It is wrong, absolutely wrong.
The Parliamentary Secretary has not answered my question. Would he care to comment on the qualifications of the former Taoiseach, the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Deputy Corish and Deputy Cosgrave?
I am sure Deputy Cluskey's qualifications are no better than those of the Ceann Comhairle and others.
Or no worse.
The pile is good but the colour would make one sick.
It is a blue outlook.
Deputy Coogan should keep quiet. He is redundant now that he is over 50.
(Interruptions.)
I must say there is a better pile on the carpet than there is on Deputy Coogan.